12 Dec 2017

Worker in while Williamson to be rested

1:02 pm on 12 December 2017

The Black Caps captain Kane Williamson will be rested and play just one of the one day matches in the upcoming series against the West Indies.

Williamson will play the first game of the three match series, in Whangarei on Wednesday week.

Tom Latham will captain the side in his absence.

Tim Southee will also play in only the first one dayer.

George Worker has been named to open the batting alongisde Colin Munro with Martin Guptill ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury.

Central Districts batsman George Worker.

Central Districts batsman George Worker. Photo: Photosport

Spinner Mitchell Santner will miss the opening game of the series due to a shoulder injury and come in for game two and three along with batsman Neil Broom.

Selector Gavin Larsen said it was pleasing they could bring in like-for-like replacements.

"Todd with his all round ability provides a straight swap for Mitchell in the first ODI," Larsen said

"Todd has been one of the top domestic bowlers in the country for a number of years now and performed very well during the recent One Day New Zealand A tour to India," said Larsen.

"He was unlucky to to get injured before the recent tour in India, but he's continued to bowl well on return and thoroughly deserves this opportunity."

Larsen said Worker has earned his playing opportunity through high volume of domestic runs in the One Day format.

"We will miss Martin's influence at the top of the order, but unfortunately he is not back to full fitness and this provides a well earned opportunity for George in the ODI series.

"Lockie has been in excellent form and we got to see a bit of him in Wellington while he was a part of the Test squad. To have him and Adam Milne in the squad is exciting from a pace perspective."

Larsen also acknowledged there would be more new players introduced throughout the season.

"It's a long summer, so for those guys playing in all three formats it's important we keep them fresh and build depth leading into a world cup year.

"Tim and Kane will both take breaks during this series, but there will be others who will also rest throughout the season."

New Zealand ODI squad

Kane Williamson (c) - First ODI only

Todd Astle

Trent Boult

Colin de Grandhomme

Lockie Ferguson

Matt Henry

Tom Latham

Adam Milne

Colin Munro

Henry Nicholls

Tim Southee - First ODI only

Ross Taylor

George Worker

Coming in:

Neil Broom - Second and third ODI

Mitchell Santner - Second and third ODI